Effects of soil water dificiency on seed germinability and vigour druing seed maturation in peanut
Shinohara, Takashi and Akihiro Isoda

Poor seed quality causes low field emergence in general, but relatively few reports about effects of abiotic factors on peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seed quality have been documented. This study was initiate to collect information about the relationship between peanut seed ferminability and seed vigour, and soil water deficit during maturation using a major Japanese peanut cultivar 'Chibahandachi' grown in the Kanto district. Seeds which matured in drought condition (T2) did not lose viability, but had a lower germination at 15ûC and more cations leaked from seeds to water than seeds which matured in the absence of moisture stress (T1). Nearly 25% of seeds produced from T2 had dark plumules, whereas less than 5% were found in the seed lots from T1. Field emergence of abnormal seedlings characterised as missing foliage leaves. These results suggest that peanut seed vigour is reduced by soil water deficit during maturation stage. Hypotheses that this vigour reduction may be associated with calcium deficiency is discussed.
Keywords: Arachis hypogaea L., drought stress seed quality